Before the offseason started, there was strong belief that the Miami Heat were going to lose most of their core players. Goran Dragic was undecided on a return to South Beach, and Dwyane Wade’s contract talks were falling apart. Luol Deng also had a player option in which he could have opted out of.
It was looking dreadful for the Heat, but in a blink of an eye, everything changed for the better. Deng decided to opt into his contract, Miami made a huge steal in the draft, and Dragic and Wade re-signed new deals. Furthermore, the Heat added a couple of helpful free agents to fortify their roster.
Deng was the first piece to fall in place when he chose to opt in. Last season, Deng quietly put up good numbers, averaging 14.0 points and 5.2 rebounds on nearly 47 percent shooting while supplying sound perimeter defense. Deng opting in was a surprise since minutes before he opted in, many expected him to opt out.
Once Deng was secured on the roster, Dragic was next to fall into place. The Slovenian guard was seeking for more money this summer - and guess what - he got it. Dragic inked a five-year, $90 million deal to remain in Miami. He was acquired by the Heat at the trade deadline last season after voicing his frustrations with the Phoenix Suns organization.
Dragic led all guards in field goal percentage last year and has always been a very efficient player due to his ability to finish around the cylinder with his phenomenal agility and craftiness. The Heat will now get to enjoy Dragic’s services for a full season and hope that the 6’3” guard could help carry them into the playoffs.
Wade was the final slice of the pie to stay intact. He signed a one-year, $20 million deal to continue his legacy in Miami. This is a brilliant and deserving contract for Wade, as he could sign a larger deal next summer when the salary cap expands once more.
Of course Miami wouldn’t be the same without having “Flash” as their starting two guard. Wade may be losing a step with each passing season due to nagging knee issues, but he is still an incredibly intelligent and efficient scorer. Wade has the capability to play on and off the ball due to his ability to make backdoor cuts and find open spots on the floor. This upcoming year, he will get the chance to establish more chemistry with his new backcourt mate Dragic, and the two could very easily flourish together since both are smart, unselfish players.
With a starting five of Dragic, Wade, Deng, Chris Bosh, and Hassan Whiteside in place, the Heat turned their focus to the bench unit. They made two quality signings in Gerald Green and Amar’e Stoudemire.
Green, mainly known for his high-flying act, has over time developed his offensive game, becoming a lethal three-point shooter and better overall scorer. The former Dunk champion will be reunited with his Suns teammate Goran Dragic, as he hopes to bounce back from a somewhat rugged season.
Stoudemire, 32, has been battling injuries throughout the course of his career but is still somehow a serviceable player. Last year with the Dallas Mavericks, the 13-year veteran averaged 10.8 points and 3.7 rebounds on 58.1 percent shooting, playing off the bench. The Heat believes “STAT” could produce similarly off its bench, playing behind Whiteside and Bosh.
The Heat scored big during the 2015 NBA draft, as many believe they got the steal of draft by selecting Justise Winslow with the 10th overall pick. Winslow was expected to go sooner, but he dropped to 10 where the Heat happily snagged him. Aside from the tremendous athleticism and speed for his position, Winslow is a bona fide on-ball defender. Similar to Deng, the 19-year-old 2015 NCAA champion is also a terrific spot up shooter. The Heat made an excellent selection, as Winslow is a great addition to their bench.
Miami’s second-round pick, Josh Richardson, earned himself a deal due to his solid Summer League play in Orlando. Richardson averaged 11.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per contest. The Heat traded away Shabazz Napier and Zoran Dragic to create room for Richardson, who is very likely to stick on the roster.
The Heat was able to recover its starting five this summer, forming one of the most complete starting lineups in the league. With a strong starting unit and now a deeper bench, Miami is expected to make a massive stride toward the playoffs next season. But of course, in the end, health will be the only thing that matters since the Heat core players endured a ton of injuries last season.
Nonetheless, the offseason went smoother than anticipated for Miami, and expectations are now very high for this team. Pat Riley and the rest of the management did their job this summer. Now it’s up to the players and coaches to fulfill those expectations.
Off-Season Grade: B+
